WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.980 Turn to the Old Testament book of Nehemiah. 00:00:03.540 --> 00:00:07.580 I think I may need to start saying go to since so many people are doing this digitally now. 00:00:09.320 --> 00:00:14.220 So we get the hipsters covered. Go to the Old Testament book of Nehemiah, 00:00:14.300 --> 00:00:18.199 although that still doesn't quite cover it because many of you are only carrying your New Testament today. 00:00:19.160 --> 00:00:22.019 Hipsters, so you're out of luck this morning. 00:00:22.019 --> 00:00:22.120 Thank you. 00:00:24.919 --> 00:00:31.379 We've been working our way through Nehemiah and we've come now to the beginning of chapter 3. 00:00:31.600 --> 00:00:35.399 And we've seen so far as the story unfolds for us, 00:00:35.619 --> 00:00:40.620 those of you who may not be quite caught up to where we are, just as a quick recap for you. 00:00:41.200 --> 00:00:45.239 Nehemiah has been part of the Babylonian captivity. 00:00:45.500 --> 00:00:46.920 He was born in captivity. 00:00:46.920 --> 00:00:50.880 He is living here in the story in a town called Susa, 00:00:51.480 --> 00:00:56.340 serving as the cupbearer to the king, Artaxerxes, who is the Persian king. 00:00:56.679 --> 00:00:58.939 Persia has now become the world power. 00:00:59.060 --> 00:01:02.380 Babylonia is no more and they are now in control. 00:01:02.500 --> 00:01:07.879 And he is serving as the cupbearer to the king some three months journey from Jerusalem. 00:01:08.620 --> 00:01:11.920 And he receives word, we see at the beginning of chapter 1, from his brother 00:01:11.920 --> 00:01:15.620 that the wall around Jerusalem has yet to be rebuilt. 00:01:15.620 --> 00:01:18.560 The people have been returned, they've been living in the land, 00:01:18.880 --> 00:01:23.340 and yet there's still a shame, a mockery, and this breaks his heart. 00:01:23.660 --> 00:01:28.900 In fact, we see in verse 4 that he sits down and he weeps and he mourns for days. 00:01:29.240 --> 00:01:35.320 Not simply because they weren't safe, because his people potentially could be attacked, 00:01:35.439 --> 00:01:41.740 because they were being mocked, but more so because his God was being shamed. 00:01:41.739 --> 00:01:47.399 Recognize that at this time, the visible manifestation of God's goodness, 00:01:47.819 --> 00:01:51.439 his character, was found in his people. 00:01:52.239 --> 00:01:55.599 Much the same way it is today, which is how we draw the parallel. 00:01:55.759 --> 00:01:58.479 It's now found in the good of his church. 00:01:58.959 --> 00:02:02.879 We build in a much different way, which we've talked about and will continue to. 00:02:03.159 --> 00:02:04.699 But this is the state of things. 00:02:04.759 --> 00:02:08.199 This is why he's so broken over this report. 00:02:08.199 --> 00:02:12.959 And so we saw his prayer, the last part of chapter 1, 00:02:13.839 --> 00:02:16.939 that it was a persistent prayer. 00:02:17.039 --> 00:02:19.579 It was saturated by God's character. 00:02:20.000 --> 00:02:22.479 It was motivated by God's promises. 00:02:23.079 --> 00:02:25.699 And that it was humble and intercessory. 00:02:25.780 --> 00:02:29.259 It was a prayer on behalf of the people of Israel. 00:02:30.219 --> 00:02:35.560 He recognized that without God, nothing could be accomplished. 00:02:35.560 --> 00:02:40.140 The task that was ahead of him, what he was looking to do, 00:02:40.699 --> 00:02:46.379 knowing that God was going to use him to go back to Jerusalem and lead the rebuilding of the wall, 00:02:46.560 --> 00:02:49.219 was a massive task. 00:02:50.000 --> 00:02:55.120 You see, King Artaxerxes, 13 years previously, had issued an edict stopping the building of the wall. 00:02:55.759 --> 00:02:59.759 And for him to stand before the king and ask for him to go back on his word, 00:02:59.759 --> 00:03:05.120 was to ask the king to shame himself, to say, I was wrong. 00:03:05.519 --> 00:03:06.899 Let me set it right. 00:03:06.939 --> 00:03:09.759 And this was not something you did in these days. 00:03:10.919 --> 00:03:13.879 And so the task ahead of him was massive. 00:03:13.979 --> 00:03:20.620 And he knew that without prayer, without God going with him, nothing would take place. 00:03:20.939 --> 00:03:22.019 But yet he planned. 00:03:22.159 --> 00:03:24.199 We look at that last week, right? 00:03:24.199 --> 00:03:26.000 He knew that he needed to go. 00:03:26.119 --> 00:03:28.000 He knew how long he needed to go for. 00:03:28.079 --> 00:03:29.599 You see this in chapter 2. 00:03:30.459 --> 00:03:33.579 He knew exactly what provisions he needed from the king. 00:03:33.739 --> 00:03:39.019 So even though as he prays and he knows that God must move and act in the situation, 00:03:39.179 --> 00:03:40.259 he also planned. 00:03:40.359 --> 00:03:45.039 He set a very careful course for how this task needed to be accomplished, 00:03:45.179 --> 00:03:48.259 all the while recognizing God's providence. 00:03:48.879 --> 00:03:52.079 We can see in verse 8 of chapter 2, the last half, 00:03:52.080 --> 00:03:54.840 says, and the king granted me what I asked, 00:03:55.060 --> 00:03:58.580 for the good hand of my God was upon me. 00:03:59.740 --> 00:04:03.220 And so he travels to Israel with an armed guard, 00:04:03.520 --> 00:04:05.240 takes them approximately three months, 00:04:06.340 --> 00:04:09.540 surveys the wall, continues this planning and praying process, 00:04:10.020 --> 00:04:12.720 and then speaks to the people of Israel. 00:04:13.200 --> 00:04:15.340 And when he encourages them, verse 18, 00:04:15.680 --> 00:04:20.660 it says, and I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good. 00:04:20.660 --> 00:04:23.920 They said, let us rise up and build. 00:04:24.340 --> 00:04:30.340 So they strengthened their hands or they set their minds to the task for the good work. 00:04:30.860 --> 00:04:33.420 And that's where we find ourselves this morning, 00:04:33.480 --> 00:04:36.860 right at the cusp, at the edge of them rising up, 00:04:37.300 --> 00:04:39.640 strengthening their hands for the work. 00:04:39.900 --> 00:04:40.660 Let's pray together. 00:04:40.660 --> 00:04:45.060 Father, we thank you for the blessing of your word. 00:04:46.260 --> 00:04:51.460 I thank you that the proper preaching of it and the proper hearing and application of it 00:04:51.460 --> 00:04:52.680 is a work of your spirit. 00:04:52.840 --> 00:04:57.280 And so we pray this morning that you will act and move through us to accomplish your goodwill. 00:04:57.760 --> 00:04:59.100 We pray this in Christ's name. 00:05:00.100 --> 00:05:00.440 Amen. 00:05:00.439 --> 00:05:00.560 Amen. 00:05:01.899 --> 00:05:04.600 So it was my original intent, as we set out, 00:05:04.699 --> 00:05:07.319 to talk about the work that they did 00:05:07.319 --> 00:05:10.279 and the work that they did in the face of opposition. 00:05:10.740 --> 00:05:16.079 But I decided late this week to drop out the work they did in the face of opposition 00:05:16.079 --> 00:05:20.220 and to treat that next week as it just seemed to be a little bit too much. 00:05:20.740 --> 00:05:23.019 So we're going to skip around just a little bit. 00:05:23.079 --> 00:05:27.279 And I apologize to those of you who really love it when I go verse by verse. 00:05:27.279 --> 00:05:31.500 But we're going to skip over the end of chapter 2 from verse 19 down. 00:05:32.059 --> 00:05:34.500 And we're going to just hit right into chapter 3. 00:05:34.579 --> 00:05:38.219 And we're going to cover all of chapter 3 today, taking a look at the work. 00:05:38.959 --> 00:05:42.179 I'm also not going to read you the text as I normally would. 00:05:42.699 --> 00:05:47.399 Because it would take me about 15 minutes to fumble over all of these names. 00:05:48.000 --> 00:05:50.579 I just make a fool of myself fumbling over Hebrew names. 00:05:50.819 --> 00:05:53.959 And it really wouldn't help that much our understanding. 00:05:53.959 --> 00:05:58.239 So what I want to do is encourage you to read the text for yourself later on. 00:05:58.479 --> 00:06:00.939 And let me draw your attention to some different parts of it. 00:06:01.459 --> 00:06:04.079 At first glance, we look at something like this. 00:06:04.219 --> 00:06:06.620 And it just really seems to be a list of names. 00:06:07.379 --> 00:06:10.379 Names, positions, where they built. 00:06:11.399 --> 00:06:14.959 It starts out with the building of the Sheep Gate. 00:06:15.179 --> 00:06:16.259 And it ends with that. 00:06:16.579 --> 00:06:19.919 You'll notice as you read, going counterclockwise around the city, 00:06:20.019 --> 00:06:22.299 there's an account of every section of the wall, 00:06:22.300 --> 00:06:26.420 how it was built, and who, in fact, built it. 00:06:26.980 --> 00:06:30.720 But there's so much in here for us to glean out for ourselves. 00:06:30.960 --> 00:06:31.980 It's a simple point. 00:06:32.439 --> 00:06:34.800 This morning will probably be a shorter sermon. 00:06:35.439 --> 00:06:39.360 But I think it's a very, very important point for us to see. 00:06:40.040 --> 00:06:41.819 So we're going to talk this morning about the work. 00:06:42.580 --> 00:06:46.340 So the first point I want to make to you from this is that they worked. 00:06:48.080 --> 00:06:49.740 And Nathan, that seems kind of obtuse. 00:06:49.860 --> 00:06:51.439 Of course they worked if they built the wall. 00:06:51.439 --> 00:06:54.160 They had to build to build the wall, right? 00:06:54.219 --> 00:06:59.459 But haven't we said up to this point that they were encouraged by the providence of God? 00:06:59.959 --> 00:07:03.560 They saw that the good hand of the Lord was upon them, moving and working. 00:07:04.100 --> 00:07:06.980 And yet, they worked. 00:07:08.259 --> 00:07:13.500 And I fear sometimes as a church that believes heavily in the sovereignty of God, 00:07:13.500 --> 00:07:16.120 maybe to err sometimes. 00:07:17.120 --> 00:07:22.519 That we so believe God is going to move and act that we fail to actually work. 00:07:23.360 --> 00:07:28.560 That we don't see that it is God that uses us to accomplish His goodwill. 00:07:28.779 --> 00:07:33.120 That we sit on our hands just waiting for something to happen, 00:07:33.480 --> 00:07:36.639 when in fact He's tasked us to get it done. 00:07:36.639 --> 00:07:38.159 Hear me carefully. 00:07:38.300 --> 00:07:39.000 God is sovereign. 00:07:39.120 --> 00:07:40.959 He is providentially in control of all things. 00:07:41.099 --> 00:07:43.319 Nothing happens apart from Him. 00:07:43.899 --> 00:07:45.899 So when we work and accomplish things, 00:07:46.240 --> 00:07:47.819 no praise belongs to us. 00:07:47.899 --> 00:07:52.099 It all belongs to God because He's using us to accomplish His will. 00:07:52.199 --> 00:07:55.079 But yet, we must work. 00:07:55.180 --> 00:07:56.439 They worked. 00:07:57.459 --> 00:07:58.939 You see the words throughout the text? 00:07:59.319 --> 00:07:59.839 Repaired. 00:08:00.459 --> 00:08:00.899 Built. 00:08:01.180 --> 00:08:02.139 And rebuilt. 00:08:02.939 --> 00:08:04.439 So there was a lot of work to be done, 00:08:04.519 --> 00:08:06.579 but know that the wall wasn't completely in shambles. 00:08:06.680 --> 00:08:09.399 There were portions of it that were still in fairly good shape. 00:08:09.519 --> 00:08:12.019 You'll see that the word repaired is used repeatedly. 00:08:12.519 --> 00:08:13.800 So the rubble was there. 00:08:13.860 --> 00:08:15.800 It just needed to be stacked back up. 00:08:15.839 --> 00:08:17.860 And not to make light of the task ahead of them. 00:08:17.879 --> 00:08:18.800 It was quite a task. 00:08:19.120 --> 00:08:21.639 But they just needed to repair the wall. 00:08:22.579 --> 00:08:23.680 The gates were burnt. 00:08:23.899 --> 00:08:25.759 Most of them, it says, they had to be built. 00:08:26.259 --> 00:08:28.120 They were made of wood and they were burned down. 00:08:28.199 --> 00:08:29.259 The bolts had to be set. 00:08:29.339 --> 00:08:30.659 The locks had to be put in place. 00:08:30.660 --> 00:08:33.000 They had to actually be built. 00:08:33.160 --> 00:08:36.820 And we see that some sections of the wall were simply rebuilt. 00:08:37.080 --> 00:08:38.759 So they were completely torn down. 00:08:38.840 --> 00:08:40.759 There were gaps in the armament. 00:08:40.899 --> 00:08:43.100 And they had to be built completely. 00:08:43.759 --> 00:08:47.220 So this language of work, and you see it as it goes in this pattern, 00:08:47.320 --> 00:08:51.779 that they worked side by side, shoulder to shoulder, if you'll allow, 00:08:52.060 --> 00:08:53.779 working on this wall. 00:08:54.080 --> 00:08:59.660 They completed what hadn't been completed in 90 years in 52 days. 00:08:59.659 --> 00:09:01.480 We'll see that in chapter 4. 00:09:02.059 --> 00:09:04.740 They completed the wall in 52 days. 00:09:05.959 --> 00:09:10.519 I'm going to draw your mind back to this language in verse 18 of chapter 2. 00:09:10.959 --> 00:09:13.659 So they strengthened their hands for the good work. 00:09:14.240 --> 00:09:19.879 And this language, this Hebrew language, was a way of stating that they became resolute. 00:09:20.259 --> 00:09:21.779 They set their eyes on it. 00:09:21.779 --> 00:09:25.240 This was the controlling thing in their life. 00:09:25.819 --> 00:09:31.159 Certainly they still had to clean up the house and cook and take care of the kids and do these things. 00:09:31.199 --> 00:09:37.299 But the driving activity in their life in this time was to rebuild the wall. 00:09:37.299 --> 00:09:44.500 My mind was drawn to a couple of New Testament texts, like 1 Corinthians 9.24, where Paul says, 00:09:44.599 --> 00:09:49.079 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? 00:09:49.419 --> 00:09:52.599 So run that you may obtain it. 00:09:53.259 --> 00:09:56.419 And Philippians 3.12-14, he says, 00:09:56.419 --> 00:10:02.599 It's not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, 00:10:02.819 --> 00:10:05.159 because Christ Jesus had made me His own. 00:10:05.879 --> 00:10:08.839 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own, but one thing I do, 00:10:09.639 --> 00:10:13.699 forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 00:10:13.740 --> 00:10:18.819 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 00:10:18.819 --> 00:10:21.719 See that language of pressing and straining? 00:10:22.120 --> 00:10:23.980 A language of work. 00:10:23.980 --> 00:10:27.159 Charles Spurgeon once said, 00:10:27.500 --> 00:10:34.860 The man who does not make hard work of his ministry will find it very hard work to answer for his idleness at the last great day. 00:10:35.740 --> 00:10:36.659 I'll give it to you again. 00:10:37.060 --> 00:10:45.340 The man who does not make hard work of his ministry will find it very hard work to answer for his idleness at the last great day. 00:10:45.960 --> 00:10:47.000 They worked. 00:10:47.759 --> 00:10:50.200 And this is the call for our lives as well. 00:10:50.659 --> 00:10:51.240 To work. 00:10:51.539 --> 00:10:52.600 To put our head down. 00:10:53.120 --> 00:10:53.860 And to go. 00:10:53.980 --> 00:10:58.840 There's some aspects of their work as well I want you to see. 00:10:58.920 --> 00:11:02.539 They worked without regard to their positions. 00:11:03.399 --> 00:11:04.460 So look at your text. 00:11:04.820 --> 00:11:06.519 We see that the priests worked. 00:11:07.659 --> 00:11:14.519 Still performing their priestly duties in verse 1, in verse 17, and verse 22 of chapter 3. 00:11:14.580 --> 00:11:16.460 We see that the priests worked. 00:11:16.840 --> 00:11:21.180 We see that the nobles or the rulers worked. 00:11:21.460 --> 00:11:21.860 Rebuilt. 00:11:21.860 --> 00:11:27.879 Verse 12, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19. 00:11:27.879 --> 00:11:29.060 I think I covered all of them. 00:11:29.060 --> 00:11:33.480 We see that the nobles, they stooped to work. 00:11:33.539 --> 00:11:36.940 Except the nobles of the Takawhites in verse 5. 00:11:37.159 --> 00:11:40.139 Who would not stoop to serve. 00:11:40.800 --> 00:11:42.460 So the nobles, they worked. 00:11:42.840 --> 00:11:45.159 The temple servants in verse 26. 00:11:45.159 --> 00:11:48.639 Put themselves to work. 00:11:48.699 --> 00:11:57.779 These people recognized that the goodness, the physical, visible goodness of God was worth stepping out of their trade. 00:11:57.779 --> 00:12:00.339 Of the position that had been given to them. 00:12:01.059 --> 00:12:06.279 It would have been shameful for any of these people to have lowered themselves to physical labor. 00:12:06.279 --> 00:12:11.600 But in this case, the glory of God circumvented that. 00:12:11.679 --> 00:12:13.240 They went above and beyond. 00:12:13.379 --> 00:12:18.079 They did more than in physical labor they would have had to do for their position. 00:12:18.080 --> 00:12:22.620 Secondly, they worked without regard to their gender. 00:12:23.560 --> 00:12:26.040 Notice in verse 12, we see a picture of this. 00:12:26.780 --> 00:12:28.940 Let me find that. 00:12:29.940 --> 00:12:36.520 Shalom, the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, he and his daughters worked. 00:12:37.100 --> 00:12:38.580 Ladies, be encouraged by that. 00:12:39.060 --> 00:12:41.280 The work of God is yours as well. 00:12:41.279 --> 00:12:46.600 They worked without regard to their zip code. 00:12:47.079 --> 00:12:49.059 I couldn't think of a better way to say this. 00:12:49.759 --> 00:12:52.439 You see the Takawhites in verse 5. 00:12:52.799 --> 00:12:57.360 The Gibeonites, the Marantothites, and the Mizpahites in verse 7. 00:12:57.419 --> 00:12:59.039 Aren't you glad now I didn't read the entire chapter? 00:13:00.799 --> 00:13:04.019 People who lived in towns that were not in Jerusalem. 00:13:04.679 --> 00:13:05.720 They were in the area. 00:13:06.759 --> 00:13:10.699 Gibeon and Mizpah was about 8 miles outside of the town. 00:13:10.700 --> 00:13:13.600 Quite a few hours journey to the town. 00:13:14.080 --> 00:13:18.000 The physical building of the wall didn't fit these people in any way whatsoever. 00:13:18.660 --> 00:13:20.220 It didn't protect them from attack. 00:13:20.860 --> 00:13:24.920 But they knew, for the sake of the glory of God, that they should work. 00:13:25.060 --> 00:13:28.360 And so they worked without regard to their zip code. 00:13:28.440 --> 00:13:32.520 They came from where they were to build for the glory of God. 00:13:33.400 --> 00:13:37.100 I hope that's an encouragement to some of you that drive a little far to get here each day. 00:13:37.100 --> 00:13:42.779 They worked without regard to their fair share. 00:13:43.659 --> 00:13:46.639 There's two rather amazing men that are recorded here. 00:13:47.060 --> 00:13:50.519 In verse 8 and 30, we see a man named Hananiah. 00:13:51.100 --> 00:13:52.320 So look at him in verse 8. 00:13:53.580 --> 00:14:00.279 Next to him, Hananiah, one of the perfumers, repaired and they restored Jerusalem as far as the broad wall. 00:14:00.279 --> 00:14:01.879 And then notice verse 30. 00:14:02.500 --> 00:14:11.059 After him, Hananiah, the son of Shalamiah, and Hanan, the sixth son of Zalaph, repaired another section. 00:14:12.000 --> 00:14:15.299 Didn't just build their section of the wall, but when they finished said, 00:14:15.620 --> 00:14:17.019 We got more. 00:14:17.240 --> 00:14:18.339 We can give to this effort. 00:14:19.000 --> 00:14:21.620 Let's build another section. 00:14:22.419 --> 00:14:25.579 You see again another man by the name of Ben-Wai. 00:14:26.179 --> 00:14:27.559 We see him in verse 24. 00:14:27.559 --> 00:14:33.519 Ben-Wai, the son of Hinnadad, repaired another section. 00:14:33.739 --> 00:14:37.279 And as I look back in the text, I don't remember this guy's name anywhere in here. 00:14:37.319 --> 00:14:40.479 I don't recall him ever building an original section. 00:14:40.699 --> 00:14:47.679 And so I hunted and I hunted and I looked and I looked and realized that in verse 18, we see his brother. 00:14:48.679 --> 00:14:50.000 After him, their brothers repaired. 00:14:50.500 --> 00:14:52.639 Bavi, the son of Hinnadad. 00:14:52.639 --> 00:14:56.659 Notice now in verse 24, Ben-Wai, the son of Hinnadad. 00:14:56.659 --> 00:15:02.480 And so, as the record shows, Ben-Wai helped his brother in the building of that section of the wall. 00:15:02.639 --> 00:15:07.659 And when they completed, he moved on to build another section of the wall. 00:15:07.839 --> 00:15:12.219 So they worked without regard to their fair share. 00:15:14.079 --> 00:15:17.120 They worked without regard to their skill sets. 00:15:18.399 --> 00:15:21.839 These men, none of them are recorded as trained wall builders. 00:15:22.519 --> 00:15:24.860 None of them masons here. 00:15:24.860 --> 00:15:28.279 Notice in verse 8, you have a perfumer. 00:15:28.539 --> 00:15:30.019 A person who made perfume. 00:15:30.340 --> 00:15:31.680 That's Hananiah, in fact. 00:15:31.779 --> 00:15:33.940 The man who built two sections of the wall. 00:15:34.680 --> 00:15:38.639 We see goldsmiths in verse 8, verse 31, verse 32. 00:15:39.480 --> 00:15:44.759 We see a gatekeeper rebuild his own gate that he was in charge of in verse 29. 00:15:45.840 --> 00:15:48.759 We see merchants in verse 32. 00:15:48.759 --> 00:15:57.600 And as previously mentioned before, we see rulers and priests and temple servants all lending to the work that was before them. 00:15:58.399 --> 00:15:59.720 So they worked. 00:16:00.559 --> 00:16:09.019 And they worked without regard to all of these things that would tend to be excuses for them and for us. 00:16:09.019 --> 00:16:12.360 Now let me caution you. 00:16:13.620 --> 00:16:22.779 As I've said before, I am not suggesting that the work before us as the church, the way in which we can glean value from this for our lives, 00:16:22.899 --> 00:16:25.399 is that we are to build a building. 00:16:25.399 --> 00:16:28.059 It's not what I'm suggesting to you. 00:16:28.399 --> 00:16:37.600 That our great endeavor is to build this property and make it beautiful and make it tall and make it wide and full of natural light. 00:16:37.659 --> 00:16:40.720 That's not the task that's in front of us. 00:16:41.340 --> 00:16:47.019 In fact, I'm not even really suggesting that the major task in front of us is the building of this particular congregation, 00:16:47.259 --> 00:16:48.819 what I would call the church. 00:16:49.759 --> 00:16:52.000 We're careful to use that language properly. 00:16:52.120 --> 00:16:53.120 This building is not the church. 00:16:53.240 --> 00:16:54.439 We're the church. 00:16:54.440 --> 00:16:57.120 I'm not even really suggesting that. 00:16:57.360 --> 00:17:02.080 That it's all about building Christ's family church. 00:17:02.980 --> 00:17:13.480 As an example of buildings, I, this past week, learned of a church building in Texas that has in it a 75,000-gallon aquarium. 00:17:14.700 --> 00:17:20.259 The name of the church, just because they deserve to be picked on, is the International Body of Christ Church. 00:17:20.259 --> 00:17:27.500 They built a 75,000-gallon aquarium and around it a $40 million building. 00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:30.259 It's rather spectacular, to be totally honest with you. 00:17:30.359 --> 00:17:35.180 There's two tunnels that go through it to go into the room that they meet in. 00:17:35.500 --> 00:17:38.839 They have a full-time biologist on staff to care for the fish. 00:17:38.839 --> 00:17:44.519 And this thing, and in big letters over the top of it, it says, follow me and I will make you fishers of men. 00:17:44.919 --> 00:17:45.859 What a cool idea. 00:17:46.059 --> 00:17:48.379 I mean, one of you brings that idea to me. 00:17:48.399 --> 00:17:49.559 I'm like, that is an awesome idea. 00:17:49.639 --> 00:17:50.359 That is so cool. 00:17:50.759 --> 00:17:53.299 We would never, ever, ever do it. 00:17:53.299 --> 00:17:55.740 But what a very, very cool idea. 00:17:55.879 --> 00:18:00.379 And they have above it, follow me and I will make you fishers of men. 00:18:00.500 --> 00:18:04.539 And what I say to that is they get it, but they don't get it. 00:18:05.119 --> 00:18:05.259 Right? 00:18:05.559 --> 00:18:09.339 That is not what we are meant to be doing now as God's people. 00:18:09.899 --> 00:18:12.099 God's glory is not contained in buildings. 00:18:13.259 --> 00:18:13.379 Right? 00:18:13.599 --> 00:18:17.500 God is not honored with a big, flashy building. 00:18:18.139 --> 00:18:21.579 God is honored in the lives of holiness of His people. 00:18:21.579 --> 00:18:26.179 I'm also not suggesting that everybody's ministry will look the same. 00:18:26.759 --> 00:18:26.839 Right? 00:18:27.000 --> 00:18:29.099 These people put down their trades. 00:18:29.220 --> 00:18:30.980 They weren't making perfume or gold. 00:18:31.079 --> 00:18:32.059 They weren't selling their goods. 00:18:32.259 --> 00:18:33.099 They were building. 00:18:33.179 --> 00:18:35.059 They all became builders. 00:18:35.240 --> 00:18:38.159 I'm not saying that all of us are going to look exactly the same. 00:18:38.359 --> 00:18:38.500 Right? 00:18:38.539 --> 00:18:39.599 All of them looked the same. 00:18:39.720 --> 00:18:43.379 They were either, I guess in this way, gate builders or wall builders. 00:18:43.619 --> 00:18:45.439 Those are two categories that they were doing. 00:18:45.740 --> 00:18:45.939 Right? 00:18:46.399 --> 00:18:50.019 In the simplest of terms, that's not the way we're to work. 00:18:50.019 --> 00:18:52.619 God has gifted us in various ways. 00:18:53.900 --> 00:18:55.680 Turn with me to Romans chapter 12. 00:18:56.400 --> 00:18:58.400 We'll leave Nehemiah behind for the morning. 00:18:58.619 --> 00:19:00.759 Turn with me to Romans chapter 12. 00:19:06.480 --> 00:19:08.319 Or go to, I ought to say. 00:19:10.319 --> 00:19:11.940 Romans 12, verse 3. 00:19:11.940 --> 00:19:41.920 1 Corinthians 1. 00:19:41.940 --> 00:19:42.820 Romans chapter 12. 00:19:42.820 --> 00:19:44.140 Verse 4 through 7. 00:19:44.820 --> 00:19:47.180 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 00:19:47.720 --> 00:19:50.039 And there are varieties of service, but the same Lord. 00:19:50.299 --> 00:19:55.700 And there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 00:19:56.420 --> 00:20:00.220 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 00:20:00.220 --> 00:20:04.039 Now note, all of these different things that are happening here. 00:20:04.100 --> 00:20:05.319 The different varieties. 00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:06.180 Right? 00:20:06.380 --> 00:20:07.200 Varieties of gifts. 00:20:07.380 --> 00:20:08.319 Varieties of service. 00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:10.079 Varieties of activities. 00:20:10.839 --> 00:20:10.940 Right? 00:20:11.100 --> 00:20:12.640 But the same Spirit. 00:20:13.100 --> 00:20:14.319 The same Lord. 00:20:14.579 --> 00:20:17.000 The same God that empowers them. 00:20:17.100 --> 00:20:18.920 That puts them into action. 00:20:19.160 --> 00:20:20.460 That initiates them. 00:20:20.460 --> 00:20:26.400 With the singular task of honoring God Almighty. 00:20:26.840 --> 00:20:27.819 That's the big thing. 00:20:27.880 --> 00:20:28.700 That's the wall building. 00:20:28.819 --> 00:20:29.000 Right? 00:20:29.200 --> 00:20:30.420 Bringing honor to God Almighty. 00:20:30.559 --> 00:20:31.279 How are we doing that? 00:20:31.400 --> 00:20:34.120 In all of these various ways. 00:20:34.579 --> 00:20:36.640 Turn to Ephesians chapter 4. 00:20:36.640 --> 00:20:48.820 We're going to begin in verse 11. 00:20:48.920 --> 00:20:53.320 Remember here, just before this, we see that Christ ascended on high. 00:20:53.380 --> 00:20:53.840 What does that mean? 00:20:53.880 --> 00:20:55.900 Except that He descended bringing gifts to men. 00:20:56.120 --> 00:20:56.320 Right? 00:20:56.680 --> 00:20:57.400 For the church. 00:20:57.700 --> 00:20:58.240 Verse 11. 00:20:58.240 --> 00:21:03.700 And He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 00:21:04.259 --> 00:21:06.100 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, 00:21:06.099 --> 00:21:08.199 for building up the body of Christ, 00:21:08.539 --> 00:21:11.719 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, 00:21:12.039 --> 00:21:13.159 to mature manhood, 00:21:13.379 --> 00:21:15.919 to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 00:21:16.159 --> 00:21:17.919 so that we may no longer be children, 00:21:18.259 --> 00:21:21.359 tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, 00:21:21.740 --> 00:21:24.839 by human cunning, by craftiness and deceitful schemes. 00:21:25.279 --> 00:21:26.679 Rather, speaking the truth in love, 00:21:26.679 --> 00:21:28.819 we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, 00:21:29.219 --> 00:21:31.699 into Christ, from whom the whole body, 00:21:32.119 --> 00:21:34.679 joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, 00:21:34.680 --> 00:21:36.880 when each part is working properly, 00:21:37.180 --> 00:21:40.860 makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. 00:21:41.060 --> 00:21:41.279 Okay. 00:21:42.220 --> 00:21:42.740 Right? 00:21:42.940 --> 00:21:43.940 There's a lot there. 00:21:44.440 --> 00:21:45.900 But I want you to see the bridge here, 00:21:45.980 --> 00:21:47.799 the connection of what's happening. 00:21:48.200 --> 00:21:49.660 We see the gifts given to men. 00:21:49.779 --> 00:21:53.259 He gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, teachers. 00:21:53.460 --> 00:21:54.120 For what? 00:21:54.200 --> 00:21:54.980 For a work. 00:21:55.560 --> 00:21:57.360 For the equipping of the saints. 00:21:57.560 --> 00:21:58.380 For ministry. 00:21:58.880 --> 00:21:59.779 And what is that ministry? 00:22:00.220 --> 00:22:02.700 Building up the body of Christ. 00:22:02.700 --> 00:22:03.299 Christ. 00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:05.559 There's that language of building. 00:22:05.980 --> 00:22:06.160 Right? 00:22:06.620 --> 00:22:09.360 Building up the body of Christ. 00:22:09.480 --> 00:22:10.980 Does that include Christ's family church? 00:22:11.080 --> 00:22:12.319 It absolutely does. 00:22:13.420 --> 00:22:14.680 But more than that, 00:22:15.240 --> 00:22:17.279 it includes the church universal. 00:22:18.400 --> 00:22:20.660 Building the body of Christ. 00:22:21.180 --> 00:22:21.279 Right? 00:22:21.440 --> 00:22:21.920 You might say, 00:22:21.980 --> 00:22:25.640 well, this just includes the maturity of those who are already believers. 00:22:25.740 --> 00:22:27.000 He goes on to explain that, right? 00:22:27.039 --> 00:22:28.980 That we should grow up into mature manhood, 00:22:29.019 --> 00:22:30.640 to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. 00:22:30.640 --> 00:22:33.780 So we won't be children tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine, 00:22:33.860 --> 00:22:34.860 by the deceitful scheming of men. 00:22:35.120 --> 00:22:35.259 Right? 00:22:35.440 --> 00:22:36.759 We get all that. 00:22:36.820 --> 00:22:39.980 That's for the believer to grow up and to mature. 00:22:40.300 --> 00:22:43.540 But notice as he begins to conclude this thought, 00:22:43.840 --> 00:22:45.259 that when we're all joined together, 00:22:45.380 --> 00:22:46.400 built up in that way, 00:22:46.700 --> 00:22:48.200 joined and held together by every joint, 00:22:48.600 --> 00:22:49.520 what's going to happen? 00:22:51.259 --> 00:22:52.700 The body will grow. 00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:56.340 The body grows so that it builds itself up in love. 00:22:56.339 --> 00:22:56.779 Right? 00:22:56.779 --> 00:22:56.959 Right? 00:22:56.959 --> 00:23:00.359 So that includes the advancing of the kingdom of God. 00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:00.919 Right? 00:23:01.039 --> 00:23:04.259 So I'm not saying that the work ahead of us, 00:23:04.579 --> 00:23:06.559 the work that all of us should be doing, 00:23:06.779 --> 00:23:08.539 is the building of a building. 00:23:09.240 --> 00:23:12.959 I'm not saying that our parts in that are going to look exactly the same. 00:23:13.619 --> 00:23:16.019 Some of you are especially gifted 00:23:16.019 --> 00:23:18.500 at turning conversations to spiritual things. 00:23:18.579 --> 00:23:19.379 I've seen it happen. 00:23:19.720 --> 00:23:23.159 A lot of you in this room are really gifted at doing that. 00:23:23.160 --> 00:23:24.360 Not everyone is. 00:23:26.220 --> 00:23:28.500 Ought we trust God to work and move through us? 00:23:28.600 --> 00:23:31.060 Ought we put ourselves in situations being expectant 00:23:31.060 --> 00:23:33.480 that He might turn a conversation to spiritual things? 00:23:33.840 --> 00:23:34.279 Absolutely. 00:23:35.560 --> 00:23:39.200 But if you have a friend who has led countless thousands to Christ, 00:23:39.640 --> 00:23:41.759 and you hold a few in your hand, 00:23:41.880 --> 00:23:43.019 don't be ashamed of that. 00:23:43.080 --> 00:23:46.060 You're being used in a different way. 00:23:47.440 --> 00:23:48.980 What I am saying, though, 00:23:48.980 --> 00:23:52.720 is that we are all called to work. 00:23:53.120 --> 00:23:57.120 We're all called to be disciple-making disciples. 00:23:57.599 --> 00:23:59.980 Growing up into Christ-likeness. 00:24:00.380 --> 00:24:04.240 Seeing that come to bear in other people's lives. 00:24:04.339 --> 00:24:08.180 To be holy and to bring about holiness. 00:24:09.279 --> 00:24:10.440 A couple of weeks ago, 00:24:10.539 --> 00:24:13.339 kind of as an aside that I hadn't planned, 00:24:13.339 --> 00:24:18.019 I told you that the phrase feel called 00:24:18.019 --> 00:24:19.699 is a phrase I don't care for. 00:24:19.859 --> 00:24:22.599 It's worked its way into our vernacular. 00:24:23.279 --> 00:24:25.259 People ask me that often as a pastor. 00:24:25.819 --> 00:24:28.539 When did you feel called to be a pastor? 00:24:28.639 --> 00:24:30.839 And I honestly haven't known how to answer the question 00:24:30.839 --> 00:24:32.599 because I don't understand it. 00:24:33.379 --> 00:24:34.159 Feel called? 00:24:34.240 --> 00:24:35.579 What does that even feel like? 00:24:35.679 --> 00:24:37.199 Like, what are you talking about? 00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:40.759 When did I feel called to be a pastor? 00:24:40.759 --> 00:24:43.180 And I recently read a book which is of great help to me. 00:24:43.259 --> 00:24:45.000 Kind of set my mind at rest 00:24:45.000 --> 00:24:47.059 to know that I wasn't the only crazy one 00:24:47.059 --> 00:24:48.879 thinking in this way. 00:24:49.059 --> 00:24:51.059 The gentleman does a wonderful, 00:24:51.559 --> 00:24:54.879 elaborate study of calling in the Scriptures. 00:24:56.559 --> 00:24:59.940 We are all called to be Christians 00:24:59.940 --> 00:25:02.500 and to make other Christians. 00:25:02.720 --> 00:25:02.859 Right? 00:25:02.900 --> 00:25:04.740 To be disciple-making disciples. 00:25:04.839 --> 00:25:06.379 That's the calling on all of our lives. 00:25:06.900 --> 00:25:09.859 And the danger then with language like feeling called, 00:25:09.859 --> 00:25:11.939 because I don't know what that feels like. 00:25:12.659 --> 00:25:14.559 Honestly, you shouldn't know what it feels like 00:25:14.559 --> 00:25:16.339 because we're all called. 00:25:17.619 --> 00:25:21.099 If you think you're waiting for some divine mountaintop moment 00:25:21.099 --> 00:25:23.500 to get active in the work of the kingdom of God, 00:25:23.979 --> 00:25:26.779 you're never going to set yourself to the work. 00:25:27.179 --> 00:25:29.119 You're never going to strengthen your hands 00:25:29.119 --> 00:25:32.619 waiting for some feeling to come upon you 00:25:32.619 --> 00:25:34.839 that that's something you should be doing. 00:25:35.219 --> 00:25:39.539 We are all called to be disciple-making disciples. 00:25:39.539 --> 00:25:41.139 We're given different tasks in that. 00:25:41.399 --> 00:25:44.420 I've been given the task of standing in front of you 00:25:44.420 --> 00:25:46.599 and doing my very best by God's grace 00:25:46.599 --> 00:25:48.899 to expound the Word of God to you. 00:25:49.299 --> 00:25:52.019 To do other things to lead this church. 00:25:52.700 --> 00:25:55.000 Your task will look different than that. 00:25:55.720 --> 00:25:57.139 There's a pretty sure bet 00:25:57.139 --> 00:25:58.519 that I'm the only person in this church 00:25:58.519 --> 00:25:59.740 that's going to do this consistently. 00:26:00.299 --> 00:26:02.059 I'm thankful for all of the giftedness in our church 00:26:02.059 --> 00:26:04.220 to help me out to fill in when I'm sick 00:26:04.220 --> 00:26:05.180 and just tired. 00:26:05.180 --> 00:26:07.640 But as a general rule, 00:26:07.740 --> 00:26:08.759 there's going to be one guy 00:26:08.759 --> 00:26:10.940 that gets up here and preaches on a consistent basis. 00:26:11.360 --> 00:26:12.980 So what is your role then? 00:26:13.500 --> 00:26:16.759 You're called just the same. 00:26:18.060 --> 00:26:19.519 It's not something we feel. 00:26:19.600 --> 00:26:20.680 It's something that's true. 00:26:21.180 --> 00:26:23.060 It's something that's been told to us 00:26:23.060 --> 00:26:24.279 in the Scriptures. 00:26:24.580 --> 00:26:25.900 We've been called to be Christians. 00:26:26.120 --> 00:26:28.940 We're called to make Christians. 00:26:28.940 --> 00:26:32.000 Get to work. 00:26:32.920 --> 00:26:35.000 Don't just plan to work. 00:26:35.500 --> 00:26:36.880 Trust in the providence of God. 00:26:38.420 --> 00:26:39.580 Strengthen yourself to work. 00:26:39.680 --> 00:26:40.460 Get ready to it. 00:26:40.539 --> 00:26:41.680 Say, I'm going to work. 00:26:41.920 --> 00:26:42.880 I'm going to do it. 00:26:43.320 --> 00:26:44.299 And not work. 00:26:45.340 --> 00:26:46.680 The work is the obedience, 00:26:46.880 --> 00:26:48.340 carrying out the faith 00:26:48.340 --> 00:26:50.160 that's been granted to us. 00:26:51.380 --> 00:26:53.340 I want to tie it back in together. 00:26:53.460 --> 00:26:54.940 I'm going to keep doing this for us. 00:26:54.940 --> 00:26:56.640 1 Peter 2. 00:26:57.000 --> 00:26:58.400 I think you'd appreciate turning there. 00:26:58.940 --> 00:27:28.920 1 Peter 2. 00:27:28.940 --> 00:27:29.740 That is Christ. 00:27:30.299 --> 00:27:31.580 Cornerstone that was so important 00:27:31.580 --> 00:27:32.480 to set the foundation, 00:27:32.720 --> 00:27:34.620 to make sure that the walls were built straight. 00:27:34.680 --> 00:27:37.480 This was the most important piece of the building. 00:27:37.620 --> 00:27:39.039 The cornerstone was set properly. 00:27:39.640 --> 00:27:41.340 Everything else worked out 00:27:41.340 --> 00:27:42.500 the way it was supposed to work out. 00:27:42.519 --> 00:27:43.559 And that's the language here. 00:27:43.860 --> 00:27:45.840 Jesus Christ is the cornerstone 00:27:45.840 --> 00:27:48.440 which the spiritual house is being built upon. 00:27:48.880 --> 00:27:50.420 But I want you to see 00:27:50.420 --> 00:27:55.180 that there's not a clergy-laity distinction in here. 00:27:56.800 --> 00:27:57.680 There's not a 00:27:57.680 --> 00:28:00.560 those-who-feel-called-to-be-minister 00:28:00.560 --> 00:28:03.680 and those-who-don't language in here. 00:28:04.220 --> 00:28:07.060 That's why we're careful about the way we say things around here. 00:28:07.059 --> 00:28:09.859 That's why we will never in this church 00:28:09.859 --> 00:28:10.879 have an altar call. 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:14.480 We may have an invitation of sorts. 00:28:14.740 --> 00:28:16.839 It may look different than our typical Lord's Supper. 00:28:17.359 --> 00:28:19.759 But to use the language of altar call 00:28:19.759 --> 00:28:21.259 would seem to communicate to you 00:28:21.259 --> 00:28:22.500 that I am somehow a priest 00:28:22.500 --> 00:28:24.299 that stands between you and God. 00:28:25.480 --> 00:28:26.419 It would seem to communicate 00:28:26.419 --> 00:28:29.539 that the sacrifice has yet to be made in Christ. 00:28:29.740 --> 00:28:30.579 And ladies and gentlemen, 00:28:30.980 --> 00:28:32.980 the sacrifice has been made. 00:28:32.980 --> 00:28:36.980 Christ has made the once and for all sacrifice. 00:28:37.200 --> 00:28:39.579 In His language, it is finished. 00:28:40.279 --> 00:28:42.539 It's part of what was meant by that. 00:28:42.920 --> 00:28:43.980 We see in the beginning of Hebrews, 00:28:44.079 --> 00:28:46.160 He's seated at the right hand of the Father. 00:28:46.259 --> 00:28:48.500 He's not having to continue to make sacrifice. 00:28:48.680 --> 00:28:50.039 It has been done. 00:28:50.140 --> 00:28:52.400 We have no need of an altar 00:28:52.400 --> 00:28:54.759 in our meeting places any longer. 00:28:56.259 --> 00:28:57.880 I don't want you to think ever 00:28:57.880 --> 00:29:00.200 you have to come through me to get to God. 00:29:00.940 --> 00:29:02.660 What a horrible thing that would be. 00:29:02.980 --> 00:29:05.400 I am as flawed as you are. 00:29:06.599 --> 00:29:07.779 You go to God. 00:29:08.200 --> 00:29:09.620 You know who you go through to get there? 00:29:09.980 --> 00:29:10.420 Christ. 00:29:11.140 --> 00:29:13.819 That final and full sacrifice. 00:29:14.620 --> 00:29:16.740 There's no clergy-laity distinction here. 00:29:17.559 --> 00:29:18.539 Beginning in verse 1. 00:29:19.140 --> 00:29:20.599 So put away all malice 00:29:20.599 --> 00:29:22.220 and all deceit and hypocrisy. 00:29:22.279 --> 00:29:23.960 He's talking about the holy living we should be doing. 00:29:24.360 --> 00:29:25.740 And envy and all slander. 00:29:26.279 --> 00:29:27.240 Like newborn infants, 00:29:27.400 --> 00:29:29.180 long for the pure spiritual milk 00:29:29.180 --> 00:29:31.720 that by it you may grow up into salvation. 00:29:31.720 --> 00:29:34.259 If indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. 00:29:34.759 --> 00:29:35.059 And here we are. 00:29:35.120 --> 00:29:35.500 Verse 4. 00:29:36.500 --> 00:29:37.839 And as you come to Him, 00:29:38.380 --> 00:29:39.220 a living stone, 00:29:39.319 --> 00:29:40.299 rejected by men, 00:29:40.360 --> 00:29:41.279 but in the sight of God, 00:29:41.400 --> 00:29:42.819 chosen and precious, 00:29:43.380 --> 00:29:44.240 you yourselves, 00:29:44.559 --> 00:29:45.480 like living stones, 00:29:45.559 --> 00:29:46.539 are being built up 00:29:46.539 --> 00:29:48.079 as a spiritual house. 00:29:48.140 --> 00:29:49.259 To be what? 00:29:49.259 --> 00:29:50.859 All of you. 00:29:50.859 --> 00:29:54.019 To be a holy priesthood. 00:29:54.819 --> 00:29:56.379 To offer spiritual sacrifices 00:29:56.379 --> 00:29:57.379 acceptable to God 00:29:57.379 --> 00:29:59.420 through Jesus Christ. 00:30:00.180 --> 00:30:01.099 For it stands in Scripture, 00:30:01.220 --> 00:30:01.640 Behold, 00:30:01.779 --> 00:30:03.519 I am laying in Zion a stone, 00:30:03.879 --> 00:30:04.759 a cornerstone, 00:30:04.900 --> 00:30:05.879 chosen and precious, 00:30:06.240 --> 00:30:07.799 and whoever believes in Him 00:30:07.799 --> 00:30:09.519 will not be put to shame. 00:30:10.079 --> 00:30:11.940 So the honor is for you who believe. 00:30:12.359 --> 00:30:13.579 You will not be put to shame. 00:30:13.720 --> 00:30:14.879 But for those who do not believe, 00:30:14.940 --> 00:30:16.000 the stone that the builders rejected 00:30:16.000 --> 00:30:17.700 has become the cornerstone. 00:30:17.700 --> 00:30:19.360 And a stone of stumbling 00:30:19.360 --> 00:30:21.140 and a rock of offense. 00:30:21.740 --> 00:30:23.759 They stumble because they disobey the Word 00:30:23.759 --> 00:30:25.519 as they were destined to do. 00:30:26.080 --> 00:30:26.840 Now verse 9. 00:30:28.220 --> 00:30:28.759 But you, 00:30:29.740 --> 00:30:30.740 all of you, 00:30:30.900 --> 00:30:31.600 all of us, 00:30:31.700 --> 00:30:33.120 those who have placed our faith in Christ, 00:30:33.200 --> 00:30:34.960 that is who Peter's talking about here. 00:30:35.340 --> 00:30:36.819 But you are a chosen race. 00:30:37.140 --> 00:30:37.960 Again, here's the language. 00:30:38.059 --> 00:30:39.039 A royal priesthood. 00:30:39.340 --> 00:30:40.360 A holy nation. 00:30:40.740 --> 00:30:42.460 A people for His own possession. 00:30:43.019 --> 00:30:43.759 For what reason? 00:30:44.340 --> 00:30:46.500 We've all been called to this 00:30:46.500 --> 00:30:48.440 and we're all called 00:30:48.440 --> 00:30:49.680 that we may proclaim 00:30:49.680 --> 00:30:50.940 the excellences of Him 00:30:50.940 --> 00:30:52.720 who called you out of darkness 00:30:52.720 --> 00:30:54.779 into His marvelous light. 00:30:55.259 --> 00:30:56.539 Once you were not a people, 00:30:56.720 --> 00:30:57.940 but now you are God's people. 00:30:58.259 --> 00:30:59.819 Once you had not received mercy, 00:31:00.059 --> 00:31:02.079 but now you have received mercy. 00:31:02.180 --> 00:31:03.000 He's quoting from Hosea. 00:31:03.279 --> 00:31:03.759 Beloved, 00:31:03.819 --> 00:31:04.599 I urge you 00:31:04.599 --> 00:31:06.420 as sojourners and exiles 00:31:06.420 --> 00:31:08.180 to abstain from the passions of the flesh 00:31:08.180 --> 00:31:10.099 which wage war against your soul. 00:31:10.559 --> 00:31:11.420 Keep your conduct 00:31:11.420 --> 00:31:12.680 among the Gentiles honorable 00:31:12.680 --> 00:31:14.319 so that when they speak against you 00:31:14.319 --> 00:31:14.960 as evildoers, 00:31:14.960 --> 00:31:16.180 so they may see your good deeds 00:31:16.180 --> 00:31:17.180 and glorify God 00:31:17.180 --> 00:31:18.779 on the day of visitation. 00:31:18.819 --> 00:31:20.460 And there's the wrap-up to it, right? 00:31:20.539 --> 00:31:22.620 We're all called to be holy 00:31:22.620 --> 00:31:24.579 and to bring about holiness 00:31:24.579 --> 00:31:27.880 in the hearts of people around us. 00:31:28.160 --> 00:31:29.620 This is the work 00:31:29.620 --> 00:31:31.420 that we are set to. 00:31:33.039 --> 00:31:35.400 If you may or may not be familiar with, 00:31:35.579 --> 00:31:37.700 I learned it's a myth, 00:31:38.299 --> 00:31:38.680 lemmings. 00:31:38.759 --> 00:31:40.259 You guys know a little bit about lemmings? 00:31:40.340 --> 00:31:42.400 When I say the word lemmings, 00:31:42.400 --> 00:31:43.540 these little rodents. 00:31:44.280 --> 00:31:45.440 And the myth is 00:31:45.440 --> 00:31:48.360 that spontaneously, 00:31:48.620 --> 00:31:49.740 they all get this desire. 00:31:50.320 --> 00:31:50.980 He knows why, 00:31:51.060 --> 00:31:51.540 but there's a, 00:31:52.120 --> 00:31:53.620 just something kicks off in them 00:31:53.620 --> 00:31:55.680 and they all rush off of a cliff. 00:31:55.980 --> 00:31:56.680 Have you heard this? 00:31:57.160 --> 00:31:58.420 They kill themselves 00:31:58.420 --> 00:32:00.680 and I've heard lots of things about this. 00:32:00.740 --> 00:32:02.019 It's like a population control 00:32:02.019 --> 00:32:02.820 because they're rodents 00:32:02.820 --> 00:32:03.800 and they multiply greatly 00:32:03.800 --> 00:32:05.759 and it's totally a myth. 00:32:05.820 --> 00:32:06.480 You know who invented it? 00:32:06.940 --> 00:32:07.680 Walt Disney 00:32:07.680 --> 00:32:10.720 in a 1958 film called 00:32:10.720 --> 00:32:11.420 White Wilderness. 00:32:11.900 --> 00:32:13.160 Totally a myth, right? 00:32:13.240 --> 00:32:15.160 Lemmings do not do this. 00:32:16.019 --> 00:32:17.080 But interestingly, 00:32:17.960 --> 00:32:19.140 people do. 00:32:20.440 --> 00:32:24.560 From a desire set down within humanity, 00:32:25.519 --> 00:32:26.519 all humanity, 00:32:26.880 --> 00:32:28.500 it rushes towards a cliff 00:32:28.500 --> 00:32:30.180 to their certain doom, right? 00:32:30.360 --> 00:32:31.539 To go right off the edge, 00:32:31.600 --> 00:32:32.820 to be dashed upon the rocks 00:32:32.820 --> 00:32:34.420 at the bottom, right? 00:32:34.420 --> 00:32:37.279 This is what our sin has bought us. 00:32:38.160 --> 00:32:39.420 And God in Christ 00:32:39.420 --> 00:32:41.660 has graciously shown 00:32:41.660 --> 00:32:44.360 so many of us the edge, right? 00:32:45.160 --> 00:32:46.360 Shown us the futility 00:32:46.360 --> 00:32:47.320 of what we were doing. 00:32:47.880 --> 00:32:48.539 Said to us, 00:32:48.600 --> 00:32:49.600 the end of this path 00:32:49.600 --> 00:32:51.100 is surely destruction. 00:32:51.340 --> 00:32:52.960 Don't run off the cliff 00:32:52.960 --> 00:32:54.100 with the others. 00:32:55.360 --> 00:32:56.900 And what we ought to be doing now, 00:32:56.960 --> 00:32:58.300 the natural response to that, 00:32:58.460 --> 00:32:59.600 ought to be to run around 00:32:59.600 --> 00:33:00.180 on the edge of the cliff 00:33:00.180 --> 00:33:02.360 warning everyone else, right? 00:33:02.620 --> 00:33:03.779 Trying to show them 00:33:03.779 --> 00:33:04.960 this very thing. 00:33:05.180 --> 00:33:06.740 We recognize all along 00:33:06.740 --> 00:33:07.859 God is providential 00:33:07.859 --> 00:33:09.799 in this saving work. 00:33:09.940 --> 00:33:10.240 But, 00:33:10.559 --> 00:33:11.619 it's still the work 00:33:11.619 --> 00:33:12.559 given to us 00:33:12.559 --> 00:33:13.839 to proclaim 00:33:13.839 --> 00:33:15.099 the edge is close, 00:33:15.839 --> 00:33:16.899 the doom is certain. 00:33:17.519 --> 00:33:18.660 If you go over the edge, 00:33:18.720 --> 00:33:19.879 you will die. 00:33:20.319 --> 00:33:21.259 And I think 00:33:21.259 --> 00:33:22.579 many of us 00:33:22.579 --> 00:33:24.220 have taken out 00:33:24.220 --> 00:33:25.019 a folding chair, 00:33:25.680 --> 00:33:26.639 folded it out, 00:33:26.700 --> 00:33:27.559 and sat down 00:33:27.559 --> 00:33:29.099 facing away 00:33:29.099 --> 00:33:29.940 from the edge of the cliff 00:33:29.940 --> 00:33:30.539 and we say hey 00:33:30.539 --> 00:33:31.019 to our friends 00:33:31.019 --> 00:33:31.619 as they go by. 00:33:32.339 --> 00:33:32.759 Hey Bob, 00:33:32.839 --> 00:33:33.220 good to see you. 00:33:33.779 --> 00:33:35.160 Hey Sue, 00:33:35.779 --> 00:33:36.740 grass is looking great. 00:33:37.559 --> 00:33:39.200 And they rush right past us 00:33:39.200 --> 00:33:39.759 and off 00:33:39.759 --> 00:33:41.039 the edge. 00:33:42.480 --> 00:33:44.460 There is a work 00:33:44.460 --> 00:33:46.500 set before us. 00:33:47.079 --> 00:33:47.879 Your co-workers, 00:33:48.379 --> 00:33:48.960 your neighbors, 00:33:49.440 --> 00:33:50.240 your classmates 00:33:50.240 --> 00:33:51.680 need to hear 00:33:51.680 --> 00:33:53.539 the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:33:54.220 --> 00:33:54.259 Right? 00:33:54.680 --> 00:33:57.240 Not it just in its simplest form, 00:33:57.299 --> 00:33:58.519 which is where we start, 00:33:58.619 --> 00:34:00.519 but in its full revelation, 00:34:00.519 --> 00:34:02.740 bringing about holiness 00:34:02.740 --> 00:34:03.879 in their lives. 00:34:04.460 --> 00:34:04.599 Right? 00:34:04.599 --> 00:34:05.759 Seeing them converted 00:34:05.759 --> 00:34:07.720 and discipled. 00:34:07.940 --> 00:34:09.300 And we do all of this 00:34:09.300 --> 00:34:10.579 to the praise 00:34:10.579 --> 00:34:12.000 of the glory of God. 00:34:12.159 --> 00:34:14.059 This is the house. 00:34:14.280 --> 00:34:15.219 This is the wall 00:34:15.219 --> 00:34:16.179 that we are 00:34:16.179 --> 00:34:17.639 to be building. 00:34:18.139 --> 00:34:19.360 One that brings 00:34:19.360 --> 00:34:20.900 great praise 00:34:20.900 --> 00:34:21.840 and glory 00:34:21.840 --> 00:34:22.619 to our God. 00:34:23.159 --> 00:34:24.219 As I told you before, 00:34:24.219 --> 00:34:26.459 it's not about 00:34:26.459 --> 00:34:27.559 Christ's family church. 00:34:28.559 --> 00:34:29.539 It is my hope 00:34:29.539 --> 00:34:30.959 that a natural byproduct 00:34:30.959 --> 00:34:31.899 of our time together 00:34:31.899 --> 00:34:33.019 is that we grow in numbers. 00:34:33.119 --> 00:34:34.099 It just makes sense to me 00:34:34.099 --> 00:34:34.619 that it would. 00:34:34.859 --> 00:34:35.559 That if we're being 00:34:35.559 --> 00:34:36.719 healthy together, 00:34:36.719 --> 00:34:37.959 this is going to begin 00:34:37.959 --> 00:34:38.459 happening. 00:34:38.899 --> 00:34:38.919 Right? 00:34:39.159 --> 00:34:39.980 That we're going to 00:34:39.980 --> 00:34:41.039 fill this room 00:34:41.039 --> 00:34:41.639 and have to use 00:34:41.639 --> 00:34:42.439 an overflow room. 00:34:42.879 --> 00:34:43.019 Right? 00:34:43.179 --> 00:34:43.699 That we're going to have 00:34:43.699 --> 00:34:44.759 to seriously be considering 00:34:44.759 --> 00:34:45.619 planting new churches 00:34:45.619 --> 00:34:46.539 because we can't possibly 00:34:46.539 --> 00:34:47.739 fit any longer 00:34:47.739 --> 00:34:48.679 in this building. 00:34:48.919 --> 00:34:49.039 Right? 00:34:49.039 --> 00:34:49.980 I think that's a natural 00:34:49.980 --> 00:34:51.199 healthy byproduct 00:34:51.199 --> 00:34:52.340 of us being healthy 00:34:52.340 --> 00:34:54.440 together in our meeting times. 00:34:54.579 --> 00:34:54.759 Right? 00:34:54.940 --> 00:34:55.840 Reminding each other 00:34:55.840 --> 00:34:56.400 of the work 00:34:56.400 --> 00:34:57.360 that's before us. 00:34:57.420 --> 00:34:58.119 But hear me clearly. 00:34:58.219 --> 00:34:59.320 This is not primarily 00:34:59.320 --> 00:35:00.759 what I care about. 00:35:01.860 --> 00:35:03.340 I want Christ's family church 00:35:03.340 --> 00:35:04.219 to proclaim the excellencies 00:35:04.219 --> 00:35:04.679 of God. 00:35:04.940 --> 00:35:05.880 I want people to look 00:35:05.880 --> 00:35:06.500 at us and say, 00:35:06.659 --> 00:35:07.880 what are they doing? 00:35:07.940 --> 00:35:08.519 It's weird 00:35:08.519 --> 00:35:09.179 and they're growing 00:35:09.179 --> 00:35:10.139 and they're planting churches 00:35:10.139 --> 00:35:11.199 and what is happening 00:35:11.199 --> 00:35:12.380 in this place? 00:35:12.699 --> 00:35:13.980 But more than that, 00:35:15.059 --> 00:35:16.059 it's about the global, 00:35:16.239 --> 00:35:17.920 the kingdom of God. 00:35:18.119 --> 00:35:18.820 I just got to tell you, 00:35:18.820 --> 00:35:21.240 I am so, so glad 00:35:21.240 --> 00:35:22.440 that we have so many 00:35:22.440 --> 00:35:23.180 young people come 00:35:23.180 --> 00:35:24.300 to this place and leave. 00:35:25.160 --> 00:35:25.980 And there wasn't a time 00:35:25.980 --> 00:35:26.360 in my life 00:35:26.360 --> 00:35:27.140 I could have said that. 00:35:27.519 --> 00:35:28.320 That I would have been 00:35:28.320 --> 00:35:29.860 happy that you guys leave. 00:35:30.300 --> 00:35:31.500 Because we were working 00:35:31.500 --> 00:35:32.220 to build something 00:35:32.220 --> 00:35:32.760 and every time 00:35:32.760 --> 00:35:34.059 we invested in somebody 00:35:34.059 --> 00:35:34.800 and they seemed to be 00:35:34.800 --> 00:35:35.559 somewhat healthy, 00:35:35.700 --> 00:35:36.300 like get you just in 00:35:36.300 --> 00:35:37.559 kind of a healthy 00:35:37.559 --> 00:35:38.500 church member spot 00:35:38.500 --> 00:35:39.800 and I could finally 00:35:39.800 --> 00:35:40.200 start saying, 00:35:40.280 --> 00:35:41.620 wow, now this is a person 00:35:41.620 --> 00:35:42.920 or a couple I can use. 00:35:43.580 --> 00:35:44.180 They'd leave. 00:35:45.260 --> 00:35:46.420 And it was really hard 00:35:46.420 --> 00:35:47.519 and sometimes it still is 00:35:47.519 --> 00:35:48.000 in moments. 00:35:48.000 --> 00:35:49.199 I still have struggle 00:35:49.199 --> 00:35:49.559 with that. 00:35:49.619 --> 00:35:50.619 I want to build. 00:35:50.760 --> 00:35:51.800 I want to accomplish. 00:35:52.800 --> 00:35:54.480 But we have sent people 00:35:54.480 --> 00:35:56.880 all over this world. 00:35:57.739 --> 00:35:58.400 And don't say that 00:35:58.400 --> 00:35:59.280 to boast on me. 00:35:59.840 --> 00:36:00.739 Just say that to say 00:36:00.739 --> 00:36:02.400 that God has blessed us 00:36:02.400 --> 00:36:04.260 uniquely to impact 00:36:04.260 --> 00:36:05.280 so much 00:36:05.280 --> 00:36:06.179 and I'm so thankful 00:36:06.179 --> 00:36:06.619 for it 00:36:06.619 --> 00:36:07.219 that we can 00:36:07.219 --> 00:36:08.300 pour a bit 00:36:08.300 --> 00:36:09.360 and send on 00:36:09.360 --> 00:36:10.360 and pour a little more 00:36:10.360 --> 00:36:11.500 and send on. 00:36:11.500 --> 00:36:13.079 that someday 00:36:13.079 --> 00:36:15.400 the work that we do here 00:36:15.400 --> 00:36:16.480 will see it fully. 00:36:16.619 --> 00:36:17.199 We'll recognize 00:36:17.199 --> 00:36:18.360 what has happened 00:36:18.360 --> 00:36:18.960 as a result 00:36:18.960 --> 00:36:19.780 of the work 00:36:19.780 --> 00:36:20.300 that we've done 00:36:20.300 --> 00:36:21.800 in this place. 00:36:23.000 --> 00:36:23.440 Someday, 00:36:24.000 --> 00:36:24.619 I hope, 00:36:24.940 --> 00:36:25.679 as we work, 00:36:25.780 --> 00:36:27.820 as we put our minds to it, 00:36:27.820 --> 00:36:28.900 as we strengthen our hands 00:36:28.900 --> 00:36:30.380 and do the work, 00:36:30.480 --> 00:36:31.480 God will say to us, 00:36:31.780 --> 00:36:32.480 well done, 00:36:33.000 --> 00:36:33.659 my good 00:36:33.659 --> 00:36:35.280 and faithful servant. 00:36:35.420 --> 00:36:36.000 And that will make it 00:36:36.000 --> 00:36:37.559 all worthwhile. 00:36:37.840 --> 00:36:38.420 All worthwhile. 00:36:38.420 --> 00:36:40.200 Let's pray together.